Confédération Internationale des Fromagers Détaillants

What is the International Confederation of Cheesemongers (ICC)?

The ICC global objective is to represent all retail cheesemongers at international level in order to promote and defend their professional business interests.Who suggested the ICC ?
The idea arose from the will and the collaboration between the FNDPL (Fédération Nationale des Détaillants en Produits Laitiers) in France and the UDCF-UZKK (Union des Détaillants Crémiers Fromagers) in Belgium.

Why setting up an International structure ?
Today, it is vital to organize the cheesemonger profession on an international basis. Indeed, together with the huge development of international trade, the various initiatives set up by national organizations would be leveraged by sharing and spreading ideas and activities beyond the national scope. The ICC would be the best mean of action in order to make the different organizations working together.

What are the objectives ?
Firstly, we want to promote scientific research within the profession, particularly through idea and experience exchanges. Secondly, we look for developing documentation related to economic, professional, technical, social, and general interest issues and linked to the professionals of cheese retailing.
Furthermore, we plan to maintain and protect to its possible extent the common interests of the member countries’ organizations concerning their respective countries usages and habits, professional development, economic and social policy, commercial and traditional policy, as well as current laws concerning food and veterinary practice.
That is why the implementation of lobbying at the European Commission level, and beyond that at the international level, is essential.

How to reach these objectives ?
These objectives can be reached thanks to several means of action:
– A closer collaboration between the representatives of member countries and retail cheesemongers
– Providing information to all member nation’s organizations regarding the current state of cheese mongering activity
– Facilitating exchange and collaboration among professional development schools and training centers specializing in cheese retailing, allowing them to understand the usages and habits of the various member countries
– Organizing special events (competitions, seminars, conferences) to promote the increase in general knowledge of the profession…
– A better knowledge regarding all issues about sales in dairy products, and more particularly retail cheese
– Communication about decisions taken linked to requests and demands towards international authorities and organizations

ICC Membership1) Active members
Active membership to the ICC is available to one unique organization that most comprehensively represents its country’s cheese retailers and acts as advocate, representative or expert in the legislative and justice activities of that country2) Associate Members
They are represented by individuals or legal entities which are compliant with the ICC interests:
– Cheese retailers holding membership of a national cheese organization belonging to the ICC
– Cheese retailers working in countries with no ICC member representative organization
– Dairy product and cheese suppliers
– Honorary and/or Founding Members